First Preparative Enantiomer Resolution of Pirlindole, a Potent Antidepressant Drug

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/hlca.19980810307

Pirlindole is an antidepressant drug. It acts principally as reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-A (RIMA) and appears relatively potent in comparison with reference drugs. Pirlindole possesses stereogenic center but is generally used as racemate. In this work, the first preparative resolution of its enantiomeric couple is described. Whereas selective crystallization of salts of chiral acid failed, two asymmetric synthetic pathways were also examined; however, without success. Finally separation and isolation of enantiomers of pirlindole was completed by using the derivatization method coupled with preparative HPLC. Optical purity of each isomer was determined by chiral HPLC. The specific rotation of each antipode was also determined.